BRADFORD: To mark the International Day of People with Disabilities on December 3, the city of Bradford is encouraging everyone to participate by wearing something purple. This year, the theme of international campaign is ‘fighting for right in the post COVID-19 times’. The emphasis is on the barriers and opportunities for people with disabilities living in the context of a global pandemic. The idea of dressing in purple derived from the fact that everyone needs to commit to redress the balance and #PurpleLightUp is aiming to shed a light on the challenges and barriers that people with disability face. The goal is to remind everyone of their responsibility to be inclusive as employers and service providers.
Locally, the city’s health and care system is coming together under the campaign – ‘One health and care partnership’ – to mark the day and to recognise the contribution that people living with disability make in the society. Bradford authorities have planned multiple events and initiatives to mark the day.
NHS Foundation Trust’s Disability Inclusion Group has planned a disability café for its employees. Beacon Staff Network has encouraged colleagues at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust to wear purple on the day. Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Equality and Inclusion Council has also organised internal events. Moreover, buildings like Bradford Royal Infirmary, St Luke’s Hospital and Lynfield Mount have been lit up to celebrate the day, the people living with disabilities and their contributions.
According to Sarah Ferriby, Councillor and Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, the journey to becoming an inclusive society requires authorities and societies to act now and accept that this will require commitment from everyone. She added, “As a local health and care system we understand that there is a lot more to do in order to create inclusive workplaces, services and communities that create opportunities for people who live with disabilities to feel supported, listened to and drive the change we need to see.” She said that it is important to listen and understand people’s experiences to achieve a sustainable change.